Roof repair
© Taranki Daily NewsStation Officer Jason Crowe, right, and Senior firefighter Nick Hackling mend a section of roof taken off by a small tornado.
''It just got really windy''

A Taranaki woman had her roof lifted off her house when a mini tornado swept through her street yesterday afternoon.

Heavy rain pounded the region earlier this morning before the skies cleared.

The New Plymouth fire service was called to the Egmont Road property around 2.50pm today. Owner Kelly Andrews said she was watching TV when things got a ''bit breezy''.

''It was totally unexpected,'' she said. ''I heard a major bang on the roof and the kitchen window was blown out.'' ''The glass got right through the cupboards and all.''
Ms Andrews said she did not realise part of her roof was missing until she informed by a neighbour.

Waterspout
© Arryn Pidwell
Her son, Ben, was in his room when the incident happened. ''The windows were rattling and the ground was shaking,'' he said.

Neighbour Evan Shoemark lost his letterbox, trampoline and a swing set to the mini tornado.Thankfully, his rabbits in their hutch was spared.

''It just got really windy,'' Mr Shoemark said. ''The dogs seem to know it was coming, heard them barking beforehand.''

New Plymouth fire station officer Jason Crowe said a salvage sheet was used to cover the hole left by Ms Andrews' roof until she gets it replaced.